Off The Rush: 2009

Hello Islanders Nation. Anthony Curatolo here from CrashtheCrease.com and "The Hockey Guys". I'd like to wish you all who celebrate a very Merry Christmas. Unfortunately, luck has not been on my side to end out 2009. As we approach the end of a decade, here is to a fresh start for 2010.

Also, here is to new, bigger and better "Off The Rush" video blogs from your "dynamic duo". ;)

Hopefully I will be able to join Dee on a regular basis starting next week (I miss you as well auntie Dee), but for now, I will leave you all with a bit of my insight since my presence has been missing. (No worries, I will return, I promise.)

As Denise stated, the Islanders finally were able to find themselves on the winning side of a game at the end of 60 minutes.

Islanders nation received their Christmas wish as the Islanders skated passed the Toronto Maple Leafs with a final score of 3-1.

It is a good time for a break, across the entire NHL, but more so for your New York Islanders. Unfortunately, there is still no time table as to when Doug Weight will return. I seriously feel that when the captain returns, this team will have their "leader" and it could be one of the key ingredients to a playoff appearance.

I know, sometimes I sound like a broken record but a lot of us seriously seem to forget how important veteran leadership is to a team.

The best example I can give off the top of my head right now is Bill Guerin and what he did for the Pittsburgh Penguins when the Islanders traded him.

No, Doug Weight is not a game changing sniper who can carry the course of the game on his stick, but he is a presence both on and off the ice that the Islanders are seriously missing.

We can only hope that his return comes early in 2010.

Sean Bergenheim, as Dee stated, is still out and the two week mark has passed. So the bumps and bruises need to heal, and heal quick.

For the Islanders, there is more of a hunger needed at this crucial time of year. The teams above the Islanders in the standings are starting to break away and climb the ladder while the Isles who are 3-7 in their previous 10 games played are fighting to stay alive.

It is a very tight, and very odd Eastern Conference this year and who knows what a win streak could mean right now.

Yesterday was a good victory, and as always, hats off to Dwayne Roloson for putting on another spectacular performance between the pipes.

John Tavares broke out of his slump as well, netting the eventual game winner in the second frame.

So, for the Islanders, there are plenty of positives to build off from the victory over the Leafs.

The task does not get any easier, as the team travels across town to take on the Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Saturday and then return home to play the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday.

My crystal ball is cracked at the moment so I won't be able to make any bold predictions, however, there should be at least three points coming out of this weekend for a team that seriously needs to get all the points they can right now.

Again, I wish everyone a very happy, safe, healthy holiday season. I'll be back along side Dee as soon as possible.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.